Brick-kiln.



Patented Nov. 7, |899.

No. 636,3lo.

A. YATEs. amm( KILN.

(Application led Jan. 23, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l,

(No Model.)

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BRICK KILN. (Application med Jan. 2a, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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MOISTURE MOISTURE.

MmsTURE.

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Y No. 636,3!0. Patented Nov. 7, |899.

A. YATES.

BRICK KILN.

(Application led Jan. 23, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

SEErcE.

PATENT ALFRED YATES, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRICK-KILN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o.

636,310, dated November 7, 1899.

` Application filed January 23, 1899. Serial No. 703,110. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that LALERED YATEs, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brick-Kilns, of which the following is a specitication.

My invention relates to improvements in kilns for burning clayware; and it refers to new and useful features not embracedin my previous patents-viz., N o. 264,118, of date of September 12, 1882, andNo. 550,707, dated December 3, 1895.

The improved features of my presentinvention comprise the arrangement of the iues beneath the kiln-floor, the disposition of the bricks on the iioor of the kiln in certain courses to conserve the heat and secureeftective distribution thereof, the construction of a tight bottom, the usc of dampers to control the circulation of the main and transverse quarterflues, the temporary stop-walls to confine the heated-air currents to the ends of the kiln, the passages admitting air to the interior of the mufiies, ducts admitting cold air above the furnace-fires, stops and foot-braces be- .tweenl the walls to obviate inward warping,

and in making other radical changes in construction and of addition of new features, hereinafter more fully claimed, which will enable me to operate my improved kiln with a greater degree of efficiency than by my former methods.

A more specific description of the features of my improved invention will be obtained through reference to the drawings forming a part of this specification', wherein- Figure 1 is a plan ofthe flues underlying the floor of my improved kiln. Fig. 2 designates a section on dotted line D, Fig. 3, with a plan of the several bond, check, and draft courses of bricks and the method of their laying to diffuse the heated air. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the kiln with a portion of the exterior wall broken away to exhibit the interior construction thereof. Fig. 4 exhibits a transverse section of the empty kiln on dotted line A of Fig. 2, with two muftles therein. Fig. 5 illustrates a similar view ofthe kiln on dotted line B of Fig. 2 as would appear (without muftles).when replete with goods and ready for firing. Fig. 6 is an enlarged trans verse section as appears in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 being a similar section longitudinally viewed on dotted line C, Fig. 3. Fig. 8 exhibits the floor-setting of the bricks in bond and check rows and draft courses for a circular kiln. Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan of the setting in the well. Fig. 10 is a transverse section through the same. Fig. 11 denotes a transverse vertical section of the bricks, showing the courses and rows in the well of the rectangular kiln, Fig. 5, the system of downdraft being applicable to each form of construction.

Corresponding numerals designate like features throughout'the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1 herein, the flues run lon= gitudinally and transversely in parallel directions and are of two dimensions. 1 denotes the open main center flue or well, (corresponding to the well shown in the plan of the circular setting in Fig. 7.) 2 designates the underground connecting main lues communicating with the upper line of chimneys on the crown of the kiln. The open main quarter-lines are shown at 3 and the transverse underground quartenues at 4. The former7 3, are used to hasten the air circulation to obviate water-smoking, caused by the moisture exuding from the green goods. The latter, 4, communicating with the lower line of chimneys arising from the foot of the crown, are for the purpose of drawing off the moisture from the goods and then closed during burning. Said lues 1 and 3 are below the level of the floor of the kiln, but open to its interior, are intercommunicating, and designed to facilitate the escape of moisture and to conduct the air and heat beneath the bottom of the kiln.

In Fig. 2 the disposition of the bricks on the floor of the kiln immediately above the tlues previously described is illustrated in their consecutive order of piling. The skintle row is shown at 5, and preferably consists of iive courses ofbricks, extending the length of the center flue or welll, laid on edge in diagonal positions or zigzag. The next in order are the draft rows 6. These comprise double rows of bricks set on their edges at right and left of skintle row 5, the spaces between said rows converging slightly from one and a quarter inches near IOS the center to about six inches near the side walls of the kiln. A The double rows of brick 7 are piled alike in number and position, as in the rows 6, intermediate to said rows 7, and at right angles with the skintle row 5, while between the double converging rows 6 are shorter single rows 8, extending from the skintle row 5 to the lengthwise main quarter-fines 3 and also at right angles. These, in the aggregate, constitute the first two courses of draft rows. The bond course is represented at 9. This consists of single rows of brick laid on edge, extending lengthwise of the kiln, the spaces between the rows gradually increasing from the center, (or over the' skintle row, preferably one-quarter of an inch to one-half inch at side wall of kiln. The above constitutes the third course. The check course is shown at 10, and comprises single rows of brick laid edgewise and transversely to the rows 9. The spaces between each row regularly decrease from the side walls of kiln to the center and preferably in the same proportion as the bond course 9, previously described. The above constitutes the fourth course, said courses (shown in enlarged section in Fig. 10) conducing to the uniform radiation and correct checking of heat. The number of the above-described courses may varyin kilns of very great capacity. Stopwalls7 11 close the center main iiue 1, adjacent to the main iues 2 at each end of flue system, permitting the latter to control the heat generated in the end furnaces and prevent it drawing toward the center of kiln. This is a marked improvement over both my former methods, which burned the goods very lightly at the ends of the kiln, while by these devices I burn them uniformly with those in the center of the kiln. )Vith the bottom of the kiln thus prepared the bricks to be treated are piled loosely thereupon, as at 12, Fig. 5,and are then ready for burning. This checker and draft system may be laid down permanently for the production of fine pottery and similar wares and temporarily when desired for brick. p

In Fig. 3 the exterior side walls 13 are provided with a series of furnaces 14, discharging their heat within the kiln against and up along the permanent dash-wall 15, which has a capping composed of a single row of bullheads 16, the upper plane of which is sloped toward the center of the kiln. Upon these I erect the movable flash-wall 17, composed of one tier of brick parallel with the flash-wall 15, laid without bond and following the same incline as the bull-heads. This accommodates the shrinkage of the wares. The tendency of the temporary wall 17 is to follow said shrinkage of the burning goods and prevent the escape of heat down the outside of the goods or the inside of the liash-wall 15 to the draft rows and into the stacks 33 to chimneys without passing through the goods. To prevent warping of the permanent flash-wall 15, the foot-braces 1S and stops 19 arc constructed at proper intervals between the main and flash walls, the heat from the furnaces passing upward between said stops over the dash-walls throughout the goods to be burned, (see Fig. 5,) the integrity of the outer walls being secured by the iron girders along the walls and girder-braces 20 set into the bottom of the kiln. Reverting to the furnaces 14, these are provided each with an airduct 21, having a divergent orifice where it enters the furnace-dome, (see Fig. 6,) from thence forming into two branches with inlets 22 as it approaches the outer wall. In this manner the introduction of oxygen to unite with the eXuding gases from the anthracite fuel greatly promotes combustion.

In Fig. 4 are located the uptake-stacks 23, (leading from the transverse quarter-dues 4,) communicating with the lower line of chimneys, the drafts of which are controlled by dampers 34, accessible from the exterior of the kiln. These are opened at the commencement of burning and accelerate the draft to clear the moisture from the goods, which is expelled through the quarter-fines 4, following arrows 35 to and out through said stacks 23. They are then closed during the continuance of the process.v

The muflies 24 (fully described in my Patent No. 550,707) are introduced to illustrate their construction as forming a part of the flash-wall 15, as also to exhibit the passages 25, conveying hot air within said mufiies and below the wares to be fired The introduction of this heated air facilitates the drying out of the green stock, which should be hastened to prevent water-smoking. Said air-passages 25 unite at the top of the furnaces 14, forming a single duct, with inlets in the outer Wall, as at 26. Near the rear of the furnaces they descend below the lioor and enter through the bottom of the muflies 24. (See Fig. 7.) By this arrangement both sets of said ducts 21 and 25 are broughtinto proximity with the fires in the furnaces, so that the additional air-supply is heated to ciciently accomplish its purpose. To feed the furnaces 14, openings 27, Fig. 6, are provided, which are closed temporarily by the Hue-covers 28, each provided with a tapering draftpassage 29, which is controlled by the slidebrick 30, the furnace-grates being indicated at 31.

In Fig. 5 the direction of the hot-air currents or iiames issuing from the furnaces are indicated by arrows 32, directing the circulation through the body of goods 12 to the bottom of the kiln along the main iiues l and 2, Fig. 1, and thence through the uptake-stacks 33, communicating with the upper line of chimneys. It will be noted that the main flues 1 2, Fig. 1, conduct all the heat from the furnaces throughout the check and draft rows and subordinately assist the function of the quarter-dues to expel the moisture from the green wares in the early stage of burning.

In the operation of my improved kiln the IOO IIO

preliminary heating disperses the moisture from the green bricks through the transverse quarter-dues 4, leading to the lower line of chimneys, and accelerates the currents of air throughout the entire system of flues. The moisture being expelled in the direction of arrows 35, said dampers are closed, the heat then rainifying throughout the wares to and beneath the door of the kiln and off through the upper line of chimneys. In the operation of burning, assuming the proper disposition of the bricks forming the skintle, draft, and check courses as previously described in detail, the goods to be fired are loosely piled, as in Fig; 5, within the areay bounded by the flash-walls 15 17, the heat from the furnaces ascending upward between said flash-walls and Jthe outer wall of the kiln, iillingits dome, thence descending throughout the green wares, draft andcheck courses to the main flues 1 2 3, again ascending through the uptake-stacks 33, and escaping from the upper line of chimneys, as indicated by arrows 32. In the-use of the mufles, Fig. 4, the wares are similarly disposed above corresponding skintle, draft, and check courses, the draft being augmented by the admission of air over the furnaces through the air-ducts 22, leading to the lires, and air-passages 25 26, leading to said' muflies, the moisture and latent heat passing off through the uptake-stacks 23, communicating with the upper line of chimneys.

Having described the preferred method of making my improved brick-kiln, I desire not to be confined to a strict interpretation of the construction herein defined, but may employ such fair equivalent therefor as would come within the spirit of my invention.

I therefore olaim- 1. In the floor of a kiln, the main flues 1, and 2, communicating with a series of chimneys on the'crown of the kiln, the transverse quarter-fines 4, communicating with a series of chimneys at the foot of said crown, the former iiues adapted to draw the heat from the furnaces through the kiln, and the latter arranged to carry the moisture out of said kiln substantially in the manner specified.

2. A kiln to burn clayware having a series of furnaces in the outer walls, provided with l air-ducts 21'and 22 converging air over and to the fires, the spaces between the walls for passage of heat, the dash-walls 15, and the from the quarter-fines, the permanent flasht wall provided with foot-braces and means intervening between, the footfbraces to prevent warping of the walls substantially as set forth.

4. A kiln for burning brick provided` with stacks 33, coacting main iiues 1 and 2 connected therewith and means in the center flue for diverting the heat from the center of the burning-kiln, in combination with the quarter-fines 4, the stack 23 therewith communicating, and the draft, bond, and checking courses constituting the foundation of a brick-kiln.

5. In a muffle-kiln, a wall provided with air-ducts, 25 and 26 conveying air beneath the floor-of the kiln and within the muffles, the said muffles provided with air -inlets through the bottoms thereof connecting with the air-ducts and means for the escape of moisture to the exterior of the kiln substantially as specified.

6. In a kiln provided with a series of furnaces having feed openings above their grates, the flue-covers 28, the tapering draftpassages 29 in the lower plane of said covers, and means substantially as specified to gage and control the ingress of air to the said furnaces and passages.

7. In a brick-kiln wall having a series of vertical stacks for the elimination of moisture and heat, the combination with the footbraces 18, the stops 19 and the uprightgirders along the outer walls, of the girder-braces 20 set into the bottom of the kiln in a manner adapted to preserve the stability of the structure substantially as set forth.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 24th day of December, 1898.

ALFRED YATEs.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM E. HUTCRINS, HARRY I. OUMMINGS.

IOO 

